Find Your Voice, Change Your Life

Today, I interview Carla King, an author and publishing expert who overcame the struggle of being an introvert terrified of speaking publicly—even after her writing was published. Carla grew up in a unique environment shaped by her introverted, artistic mother and extroverted, mechanical father. Living in rural North Carolina, she spent much of her time reading and working on mechanical projects with her dad, finding comfort in solitude and observation. A dramatic move to Silicon Valley during her teenage years pushed her into a new world of cultural contrasts, where she began exploring her identity and finding her voice through writing and travel. A pivotal moment in Carla’s journey came when she took a solo motorcycle trip through Europe, leaving behind a marriage that no longer served her. That experience not only marked her personal transformation but also inspired her first published story. Today, Carla uses her expertise and adventurous spirit to guide authors in turning their stories into books, teaching them to overcome the fear of sharing their deepest truths and connect authentically with their readers.__________________Carla King is an author and publishing expert who's passionate about guiding writers through the journey of turning their stories into polished, professional books. Known for her adventurous solo motorcycle travels and as a pioneer in online travel blogging, Carla brings creativity and clear, actionable advice to her coaching. Through her books, workshops, and the Your Publishing Compass yearlong program, she helps authors confidently navigate the publishing process and share their stories with the world.__________________Find Carla here:https://carlaking.com/ https://carlaking.com/in/carlaking/ https://www.facebook.com/missadventuring/ https://www.instagram.com/missadventuring/Free Download - https://BookHip.com/LJQATKD Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Dr. Kalpana Sundar, who overcame a life of restriction and stifled self-expression to discover her authentic voice. Growing up in a traditional Indian household in the United States, Kalpana experienced the tension of balancing cultural expectations and her own independent spirit. As the firstborn and a rebellious child, her attempts to express herself were often met with resistance, leading her to suppress her voice to conform. Her early years were shaped by her parents' hopes and dreams, which she fulfilled by pursuing a career in medicine, becoming a successful ENT surgeon.The turning point in her life came when she faced a personal health crisis—thyroid cancer. Although she physically recovered, unprocessed trauma from the experience led her to seek therapy years later. This journey helped her recognize the patterns of silencing her voice, not only from her upbringing but also in her professional and personal relationships. Slowly, Kalpana began to dismantle these constraints, transitioning out of her medical practice, ending her marriage, and embracing a new chapter in life.Today, Dr. Kalpana Sundar has transformed her experiences into a mission to empower others. Through her book Beauty Unbound, speaking engagements, and coaching work, she guides individuals to break free from limiting beliefs and find the courage to live authentically. She now helps aesthetic providers enhance their businesses while continuing to inspire others to embrace freedom and authenticity in their lives.__________________Dr. Kalpana Sundar is a multifaceted powerhouse in medicine, entrepreneurship, and personal development. As a board-certified expert in Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, she founded a successful ENT practice and medical spa. Her early battle with thyroid cancer ignited her passion for achieving balance between professional and personal life. Through her book, Beauty Unbound, and transformative talks, Dr. Sundar inspires women to embrace leadership roles, especially in entrepreneurship.In addition to her work as a speaker on leadership and entrepreneurship, Dr. Sundar hosts the TV show Gloves Off and consults with aesthetic providers to elevate their businesses and personal lives. Based in San Diego, she lives vibrantly, indulging her love for travel, fashion, and martial arts. Join us as we delve into her inspiring story of passion and defying societal norms.__________________Find Kalpana here:https://www.youtube.com/@DrKalpana.Unbound https://www.instagram.com/drkalpana.unbound https://linkedin.com/in/drkalpanasundarhttps://drkalpanasundar.com/masterclass Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today I interview Natalia Price, who shares her journey of overcoming silence and fear to embrace her voice and power. Growing up in South America, Natalia experienced a childhood marked by bullying and cultural expectations that kept her quiet and compliant. Moving to the United States at age 10, she became aware of new possibilities for women’s empowerment but struggled to break free from old patterns.Natalia shares the deep inner work that transformed her fear of speaking into her greatest strength. Through shadow work and exploration of ancestral trauma, she uncovered the roots of her fear and began to alchemize it into confidence. Her journey illustrates how meeting fear head-on can lead to profound personal and spiritual growth.In this episode, Natalia invites us to reflect on how collective and personal histories shape our voices. She emphasizes the power of slowing down, tuning into the heart, and connecting with sacred feminine energy to find clarity and purpose. Her message is a call to embrace authentic expression and contribute to a more balanced and empowered world.__________________Natalia Price is a women's spiritual empowerment mentor, ordained priestess, and facilitator of the 13 Moon Mystery School. She facilitates transformation through one-on-one mentorship, the year-long Priestess Initiate Circle, the Embodied Ritual Leadership Program, and community Moon Circles.Natalia supports women in unlocking their potential and honing their skills to lead with authenticity and purpose. She merges archetypal psychology, women’s empowerment, and spiritual leadership to help women find their authentic voice, trust their intuitive wisdom, and offer their gifts to the world with clarity and confidence. Passionate about the feminine rising movement, Natalia sees it as a powerful force for rebalancing our planet and creating meaningful change to seed a new world.__________________Find Natalia here:www.instagram.com/natalia.price/https://www.facebook.com/nataliaprice1/https://www.nataliaprice.com/subscribe-free-gift-art-of-ritualSupport the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview DevSuroop Kaur, who grew up as the youngest of three sisters in a family where she often felt muted and silenced. As a young adult, she searched for herself through diverse experiences, including working in Alaska, battling addiction, and struggling with a fear of speaking that kept her from fully expressing who she was.Her turning point came in her early twenties when she discovered Kundalini Yoga through the Western Sikh community. Fully immersing herself in the structured spiritual practices, she became a yoga teacher, a chant leader, and an active member of the community. Music and Naad Yoga gave her a sense of grounding and connection to her voice. However, decades later, she faced a crisis of conscience and chose to leave the community, freeing herself to reclaim her authentic voice.Now, DevSuroop helps others empower their voices by drawing on her rich experiences in yoga, music, and leadership. She empowers her clients to express themselves with confidence and live in alignment with their true purpose.__________________DevSuroop Kaur empowers soul-led entrepreneurs and speakers to unlock the full potential of their authentic voice. With over 40 years of experience in executive business leadership, yogic practices, and music performance, she is a sought-after voice empowerment coach. Her clients benefit from a unique combination of Naad Yoga—the yoga of sound—and practical life and business expertise, fostering profound personal and professional transformation.An influential entrepreneur and speaker, DevSuroop is also an accomplished chant leader and vocalist with internationally distributed albums spanning chant, meditation, jazz, and classical Indian kirtan. She holds an MBA from Claremont Graduate University, along with certifications in yoga and sound healing, offering a deeply holistic approach to inspire lasting change.__________________Find DevSuroop here:www.devsuroop.com https://www.instagram.com/devsuroop.kaur/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredsound Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Meg Dennison, who grew up in a rural area where life was quiet, and opportunities to connect were limited. In her household, her father’s preference for peace and order meant that noise and self-expression were often discouraged. While the stillness of her environment shaped her early years, Meg’s lively and rebellious spirit found subtle ways to emerge. As she grew older, her natural curiosity led her to a career as a reporter. She loved asking questions and diving deep into people’s stories, but when faced with opportunities to share her own voice—such as participating in public discussions—she was gripped by fear. Her nervousness about saying the wrong thing or being judged often caused her to retreat from these opportunities.A turning point came when Meg decided she wouldn’t let fear or her discomfort with speaking hold her back any longer. She began taking classes to practice. These experiences helped free her voice from the nervousness that once paralyzed her. Along the way, she realized that reclaiming her voice wasn’t just about performance but about finding a deeper sense of presence and confidence through inner work.Today, Meg uses her journey to inspire and guide others. As a coach, she helps individuals practice conscious leadership, embrace their authority, and connect with their voices in meaningful ways. Her story is a testament to how practice, presence, and inner work can transform fear into confidence and inspire others to express themselves fully.__________________For over a decade, Meg Dennison has guided women through the practice of conscious leadership, helping them step into their authority and meet their ambitions. Her work includes one-on-one coaching, corporate team development, business workshops, and hosting transformative retreats at her home in Santa Cruz, California.Meg’s lifelong passion has been supporting women and girls in their leadership journeys. She is dedicated to ensuring that women have the skills and support they need to share their brilliance and bring their visions to life.Her own path reflects the resilience and transformation she teaches. Meg reimagined her 38-year marriage to the man she met on a college newspaper, reshaped her career in midlife, and even made a cross-country move after raising her three children.__________________Find Meg here:Website - www.megdennison.com LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/megdennison Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meg_dennison Youtube - https://youtube.com/@megdenn Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today I interview Leisa Reid, who grew up with a strong sense of independence fostered by her parents’ unique approach to raising her. With her parents divorced and living in different states, Leisa’s early life involved traveling alone between homes, which encouraged self-reliance from a young age. Her father, a hypnotherapist, further nurtured her independence by introducing her to ideas about inner awareness and self-reflection, fostering a curiosity that helped her feel comfortable exploring her inner world.However, as she grew up, this independence created challenges in her personal relationships, particularly in understanding and expressing her needs. After her own divorce, Leisa had a breakthrough during a session with her therapist, who asked her to identify her emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. This task, unexpectedly difficult, led Leisa to seek answers in personal development workshops, where she started uncovering her inner beliefs and blind spots.Now, Leisa channels her experiences to help others find their voice in public speaking. As the founder of Get Speaking Gigs Now, she guides entrepreneurs to get booked and share their messages confidently. Drawing from her own journey, she inspires others to step onto the stage with purpose and clarity.__________________Leisa Reid is the Founder of Get Speaking Gigs Now and CEO of the International Speaker Network. Her mission is to transform public speaking into a powerful strategy for business growth, guiding speakers to make their message impactful and fulfilling. Known as the "Talk Doula," Leisa supports entrepreneurs in crafting their talks and finding speaking opportunities to build lasting visibility.With experience on over 600 stages, the authorship of seven books, and her role as a podcast host, Leisa brings a wealth of expertise and practical know-how to aspiring speakers. Beyond her work, Leisa is a dedicated mom, wife, and dog-lover who enjoys live rock concerts and dance fitness classes, bringing joy and balance into her busy life.__________________Find Leisa here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/leisareid/https://facebook.com/getspeakinggigsnow/https://www.facebook.com/leisa.reid.2/https://www.instagram.com/getspeakinggigsnow/https://www.instagram.com/leisareidhttps://www.youtube.com/c/LeisaReidSupport the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Kathryn Regganie, who grew up feeling different because of her learning disabilities, especially dyslexia. Kathryn shares how she faced challenges in school and often felt disconnected from traditional learning systems. Despite these struggles, her parents, especially her father, were a strong source of encouragement, reminding her she had the choice and determination to succeed, even if others doubted her.As Kathryn moved into the corporate world, she continued to experience a sense of disconnection. Although she found ways to express herself and move forward, she was often in environments where her voice felt restricted, especially in male-dominated spaces. Eventually, Kathryn reached a turning point, realizing that the corporate path didn’t align with her true self. Seeking deeper connection and purpose, she discovered energy work, which helped her reconnect with her inner strength and sense of self.Now, Kathryn embraces her unique perspective, seeing her dyslexia as a “superpower.” She guides professionally-minded women in discovering their own power through calmness, grounding, and self-leadership. Kathryn’s work centers on helping women feel confident, grounded, and able to lead with compassion, creating environments where everyone can feel seen and heard.__________________Kathryn spent over 15 years in the corporate world, where she served as a bridge between tech innovators and sales teams, translating ideas and keeping both sides connected. During this time, she worked for large companies, balancing the worlds of meaning and analytics and learning the importance of clear communication in fast-paced environments.After stepping away from corporate life, Kathryn discovered energy healing and began to understand the deeper impact of compassionate leadership. She saw how powerful it is for women to stay grounded and connected with themselves, realizing that true leadership comes from this inner alignment. This awareness inspired her to change direction, focusing on helping others find resilience and strength within.Today, Kathryn guides professionally-minded women in slowing down, grounding themselves, and finding confidence. Through her business, she empowers women to embrace their inner strength and lead with their authentic, compassionate selves.__________________Find Kathryn here:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynregganie/Website - https://www.dragonwomanquiz.com Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Katherine Kennedy, who grew up feeling the need to appear like everything was perfect, avoiding hard conversations and hiding behind a mask. As the youngest in her family, she was often seen as the one who brought fun and laughter, but underneath, she struggled to express her true emotions. This sense of needing to present a perfect life, while holding in difficult feelings, left her disconnected from her authentic voice.Her turning point came when she started working with students who were the first in their families to go to college. Listening to their stories of struggle and resilience helped her recognize her own need to speak her truth. Over time, Katherine learned to have deeper conversations with her family, especially her father, which brought them closer and allowed her to release the secrets she had held for so long.Now, Katherine guides others in finding their voices through storytelling workshops and retreats. She believes that finding your voice is a muscle that can be built over time, and she creates spaces for people to share their stories, just as she learned to do, fostering deeper connections and personal growth.__________________Katherine has spent over 30 years helping thousands of people share their stories with authenticity and confidence. Her career highlights include working with Teach for America and playing a key role in expanding the youth leadership program Summer Search into a national nonprofit. As a mentor, fundraiser, and Executive Director, she has dedicated her career to empowering others to express their true selves.Katherine is also a skilled storytelling coach, guiding individuals in various settings to articulate their personal stories—whether through public speaking, writing, or meaningful conversations. In 2023, she published her first book, Speaking to What Matters: My Story of Learning How to Share What’s Inside, which reflects her passion for the transformative power of storytelling.Living in San Francisco with her family, Katherine continues her mission to help people connect deeply with themselves and others through the art of storytelling.__________________Find Katherine here:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/katherinekennedysf/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/speakingtowhatmatters/Free Download - A Guide to Speaking to What Matters https://katherinekennedysf.com/a-guide-to-speaking-to-what-matters/  Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Dana Weaver, whose story starts with a pivotal moment during her childhood when her great-grandmother, a woman she adored, moved into a nursing home. Seeing the poor conditions in the facility sparked a realization in Dana that things needed to change. This event, coupled with her father’s encouraging words, planted a seed in her heart that would later grow into her passion for leadership and advocacy in the field of aging.Throughout her early life, Dana faced challenges as she pursued her career in senior leadership roles, particularly as a woman in male-dominated fields. She witnessed many women in the workforce struggle to have their voices heard and break through glass ceilings. These experiences fueled her desire to support other women in finding their voices. Over time, Dana recognized the importance of effective leadership and the need for strong, compassionate leaders, especially in industries where people are caring for people.One of Dana’s breakthrough moments came early in her career, when she was thrust into an eight-hour training session as the sole speaker. Despite her fears and lack of experience in public speaking, she pushed through and realized the importance of mastering the art of communication and leadership. This experience ignited a passion for speaking and teaching that eventually led her to become a keynote speaker and leadership coach. Today, Dana uses her own story of overcoming fear and adversity to inspire and guide professional women to embrace their leadership potential and make a lasting impact. Dana’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, vision, and heart-centered leadership, and her mission is to inspire women to rise above challenges and boldly claim their space in the world.__________________Dana Weaver, your go-to leadership coach, partners with professional women to help them find their confidence and influence, enabling them to break through glass ceilings and make their unique mark in the world.With over 25 years in senior leadership, Dana has made a significant impact on the field of aging. She has also inspired countless women to believe in their power and realize they can achieve far more than they originally believed possible.__________________Find Dana here:LinkedIn: @weaversolutionsllcFacebook: @weaversoluitonsllcInstagram: @weaversolutionsllcYouTube: @weaversolutionsllcFree Download: https://www.weaversolutionsllc.com/opt-in-d087ff10-25d7-434d-9b4b-24748992e4b6 Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Randall Alifano who grew up in a loud, talkative Italian family where everyone spoke, but no one really listened. Like many of us, Randall often felt unheard and disconnected, surrounded by people but without real understanding. This early experience of being silenced planted the seed for his deep curiosity about human connection and the power of listening.As he grew older, Randall began asking deeper questions, eager to understand the emotions behind people’s words. His breakthrough came when he started working with individuals who had experienced profound trauma. He quickly realized that what people needed most wasn’t advice or diagnosis, but someone to truly hear them. His ability to listen with full presence became the foundation of his healing work.Randall’s approach to listening goes beyond the surface, allowing others to face their fears, feel understood, and reclaim their voice. He now teaches people how to connect with themselves and others through deep, compassionate listening, transforming their relationships and personal growth. His work has helped countless individuals move through their struggles by creating a safe space where they can be fully heard.__________________Randall Alifano, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and ordained minister with over 40 years of experience integrating psychology and spirituality into his private practice. He has dedicated his career to listening deeply to the dreams, traumas, and inner struggles of his clients, guiding them toward living in greater alignment with their inner wisdom.His work spans a wide range of experiences, including counseling battered women, running groups for violent men, and designing a domestic violence program. He has also studied and applied various psychological and spiritual methodologies, enriching his holistic approach to healing.In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Alifano has co-led seminars on intuitive listening and apprenticed with renowned figures in Gestalt Therapy and Encounter Groups at Esalen Institute. His teachings emphasize the power of presence, empathy, and curiosity in fostering deep connections with both others and ourselves. Through his guidance, he has witnessed the transformative impact of being truly heard, helping people enhance their relationships and personal growth.Outside his practice, Dr. Alifano enjoys drumming, meditation, and cooking his grandmother’s famous Bolognese sauce.__________________Find Randall here:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/randall.alifanoInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/randallalifano/ Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Listening-Raw-Coming-Home-Receptivity/dp/B0C7JFWYZCWebsite: https://randallalifanophd.com/book/Support the showI’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.